“You’ve been through this many times?” Avery asked as Gage stood beside her mount.
“Oh yes, there's nothing in there. Don’t worry. The scariest thing will definitely be your witchy friend.”
Veli shot him a look of annoyance from where she stood a few paces behind them.
“Children found this passage?” I asked skeptically, as one of my brows lifted. Nyra danced around my feet in circles, letting out a short growl as she watched the dust settle.
“They believe the passage appeared when much of the city and mountainside had been decimated. They discovered it when people returned here to rebuild the city,” Zaela answered. “My father was a bit of a…menace when he was young. Exploring areas he shouldn’t have been.”
“Weren’t we all?” Gage chimed in.
“You’re not quite out of that phase yet, my friend,” Jace said as he took his place at my side. He wrapped his arm around my shoulder. “Are you ready, Lia?”
“This will take a day for them to push through?” I asked, as my gaze wandered behind our friends to the awaiting masses.
“Give or take. The children will remain in the wagons to prevent injuries and wandering. They are prepared to march through, as the passage is too narrow to make a proper camp in,” he answered.
“Excellent.” I blew out a breath and turned to Avery. “I will see you on the other side.” I glanced at Gage and then back at my sister. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
She answered with a wink, and when I stepped toward her, I leaned in close to her ear and whispered, “And that’s antagonizing Zaela.”
Avery scoffed as I turned to Finn and Landon, who had each mounted a horse. “Be safe.”
Zaela approached me from behind and clapped my shoulder. “They’ll survive. It's just a day, Lia,” she huffed before she started shouting out orders down the lines in preparation to leave.
Day or not, the thought of being separated from them all again made my chest tighten.
“Alright, everyone, let's move out!” Jace boomed.
The endless line of citizens took their first step in tandem. The sound of shouts repeating his words, wagons turning wheels, and the click of hooves on the cobblestones echoed throughout the air. And before I could blink, Zaela had disappeared in the passage, followed by Avery and Veli, while the boys all stood at the front of the entrance, guiding the lines through seamlessly.
Our people smiled, and the children waved excitedly at us as they sauntered by, making the corners of my lips twitch up as I returned their gestures.
Nox let out a loud shriek, forcing my eyes up to watch as he landed and perched himself on a looming cliff of one of the peaks, observing them all as they entered the passage as if he were watching over them himself.
We stood there for what seemed to be over an hour until the very last person in line entered. Jace gave the guards the signal to close off the entrance, and we remained until the boulder landed, sealing it shut behind everyone.
Chapter fourteen
Jace
We soared through theopen air on Nox’s back as he glided through the clouds above the Ezranian Mountains. Lia sat on her knees at the nape of his neck, at the very front edge of the saddle, as the wind tousled her hair around her face.
Lia glanced back at me. She slid down the saddle and wrapped her arms around her knees, holding them tightly to her chest as our stares remained locked on each other.
“You seem better, lighter. However, I can’t help but notice a lingering sense of dread from you. What’s going through your mind, my Lia?” I asked.
Her chin tilted upward to the clouds above as she pursed her lips. “Too much.”
She looked back at me to see my stare remained on her as I waited for an actual answer.
“I’m excited to finally see the sanctuary that has allowed the mortals to remain as safe as possible. And I’m relieved that Avery and Finnian truly didn’t hold any grudge or ill-will toward me for Kai’s death. So, luckily, I no longer feel like a complete monster.”
My eyes narrowed in on her. “Lia, nothing in this realm could convince any of us that you’re a monster. And if it’sthe title you fear and do not wish to bear, I will gladly hold it for you. Utilize me for all your needs, whether that be your mate and partner or executioner. The only thing I’m longing to see more than you sitting on that throne is to watch our enemy's blood pool at your feet.”
She opened her mouth to speak, but I continued. “I know you’re more than capable of doing that yourself, but I’m here for you to not carry the weight of it alone. You, my Lia, are the crown, and I will gladly be your sword.”
Her lips curved in a soft smile as she watched me speak the words. “I know.”
